A new dawn!: July 2008

This is a story about my travels through the setting sun and into the night to attend a support raising conference!

Here in Portland we all are making it a point to "reduce our carbon foot prints" by riding our bikes every where we go. We are refusing to drive our cars so we can be healthier fit, show the environment and our fellow man kindness, and don't forget save money!

I decided to take the train from Portland to Salem and then ride my bike to the YWAM base. This trip is about 130 miles and takes around 2 hrs. including ride time to train, train ride and bike ride to YWAM Salem.

I set off in good spirits about 5:45 to catch my train that leaves at 6:15pm.

I almost missed my train because I had to stop by the bike shop and get some new lights but I made it with about 5 minutes to spare!

I get off the train in Salem and start riding with my map quest (driving)directions. I went about a mile and the road I was on turned into another road before I ever saw the next one I was suppose to turn on. I wondered if I missed it so I turned back around. Ok, I forgot to mention that I am carrying a backpack with my clothes for the next three days, my homework and books for the conference and my brick of a lap top. So I am already starting to feel the burn. Any way it turns out I have the wrong directions and google can't find the address I am looking for. So I called this girl that is on staff at the YWAM base and ask her how to get there. She tells me to find a street named Pringle that will turn into Battle Creek road which is the th road the YWAM base is on. The only problem is that she is not sure of where it is at. After much turning around, stopping and asking for directions I finally find Battle Creek Rd. It is now dark and I am worn out. On top of that I have a couple of wounds from my heavy back pack pulling me off my bike and tumbling me to the ground.

I turn onto Battle Creek Road and ride about 20 minutes over two HUGE hills. In my horror I see a street sign that says Pringle! I went the wrong way!!!! I am so frustrated by this point I go to turn my bike around to start riding the other way and fall down again. A car drives by slowly to see if I am ok and I gave them the thumbs up, probably with a horribly discouraged and tired look. I just sat there for a minute thinking "I just want to call someone to come pick me up". I finally get up after telling myself "I can do this!" and continue into the dark night. About an hour later I make it to the SALEM YWAM Base, it is now about 10:30!